A FREAK weather event has struck the UK today, as the unusual phenomenon has unleashed freezing rain and submerged parts of the Britain in 40cm of snow.

Britain is suffering from a freak weather event today as the Siberian Arctic cold blast smashes into Storm Deirdre to wreak havoc across the country. Parts of the country have been blanketed by 40cm of snow while officials are warning people to stay off the road until tomorrow. BBC metereologist Chris Fawkes has described the freezing rain phenomenon as "rare and unusual" for Britain and warned of its deadly effects.